What a hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Arkansas is a restricted driving permit that lets you operate a vehicle for specific purposes when your regular license is suspended. It does not restore your full driving privileges — it allows you to drive only to work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs, or other essential activities the state approves. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, issues hardship licenses.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for a DWI conviction, accumulating too many points, or failing to pay child support or traffic fines. You cannot get one if your suspension is for medical reasons, a revocation (which is permanent until you meet specific conditions), or certain serious violations like driving with a suspended license.
The state calls this a restricted license in some documents, but the process and restrictions are the same. You must show that losing your license creates genuine hardship — meaning you cannot reach work, school, or necessary medical care without driving.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs, not for personal errands or social trips.
- You must file a petition with the circuit court in the county where you live, not with the Department of Finance and Administration directly.
- The court will hold a hearing where you must prove the suspension causes genuine hardship and that you have a valid reason to drive.
- You need documents showing your job location, work schedule, school enrollment, or medical necessity before you file.
- If the court grants the petition, you then go to a Revenue Division office to pay the fee and receive the restricted license.
Which suspension types allow a hardship license
Arkansas law permits hardship licenses for suspensions caused by DWI convictions, point accumulation (too many traffic violations), failure to pay child support, and failure to pay traffic fines or court costs. The state also allows them for suspensions tied to drug convictions or certain other criminal offenses.
You cannot get a hardship license if your license was revoked rather than suspended. A revocation is permanent and requires you to meet conditions set by the court or the Revenue Division — such as completing a DWI program, paying all fines, or waiting a set number of years — before you can reapply for a regular license. Suspensions are temporary and usually end on a specific date; revocations do not have an automatic end date.
If you are unsure whether your case is a suspension or revocation, contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, at 501-682-7060. They can tell you the reason for your license status and whether a hardship license is an option.
Filing a petition in circuit court
You must file a written petition with the circuit court in the county where you live. The petition is a formal request asking the judge to let you drive under restrictions. You do not file with the Revenue Division; the court makes the decision first.
Your petition should include your name, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, and a clear statement of the hardship you face without driving. For example: "I work at [employer name] located at [address], Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I have no other transportation and will lose my job if I cannot drive to work." Be specific about times, locations, and why the hardship is real.
You can write the petition yourself or have an attorney prepare it. The circuit court clerk's office can tell you the exact format they require and whether there is a filing fee (fees vary by county). Some courts have a form you can use; ask when you call.
Documents you need before filing
Gather proof of the reason you need to drive before you file your petition. The court will ask for these at the hearing, and having them ready strengthens your case.
For work-related hardship, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work location, work schedule, and that you would be terminated or lose hours if you cannot report to work. For school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school or college showing your attendance requirements. For medical hardship, bring a letter from your doctor explaining the medical condition, treatment location, and why you must drive to appointments.
You should also bring proof of residence in the county where you are filing — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement — and your current identification. If you have completed any court-ordered programs (such as a DWI education course), bring proof of completion.
The court hearing and what to expect
After you file, the court will schedule a hearing. You will appear before a judge who will review your petition and the documents you submitted. The judge may ask you questions about your job, your transportation situation, and why you need to drive.
Be honest and direct. Explain what you do for work or school, where it is located, and why you cannot get there without driving. If you have used public transportation or carpools in the past, explain why those options no longer work. The judge is looking for genuine hardship, not convenience.
The prosecutor or the state may be present to argue against your petition, especially in DWI cases. They may question whether you truly need to drive or whether alternatives exist. Answer their questions calmly and stick to the facts.
The judge will rule either at the hearing or in writing within a few days. If the petition is granted, you will receive an order from the court. If it is denied, you can file a new petition later if your circumstances change.
Getting your restricted license from the Revenue Division
Once the court grants your petition, take the court order to any Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, office. You can find office locations and hours on the state website or by calling 501-682-7060.
Bring the court order, your current identification, and proof of residence. You will pay a fee to receive the restricted license; the amount varies but is typically between $20 and $50. Ask the Revenue Division office what the current fee is when you call.
The restricted license will show the specific purposes for which you can drive — usually "work," "school," "medical," or "court-ordered program." You must carry this license whenever you drive, and you can only drive for the purposes listed. Driving for any other reason is a violation and can result in additional charges.
Restrictions and what you cannot do
A hardship license is not a regular license. You can drive only to and from the locations and for the purposes the court approved. If your order says you can drive to work and medical appointments, you cannot use it to go to the grocery store, visit friends, or run errands.
You must follow all traffic laws. A traffic violation while driving on a hardship license can result in additional charges and may lead to the license being revoked. You also cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless the court specifically approved it for a medical emergency or shift work.
If your circumstances change — you get a new job, finish school, or no longer need to drive for the approved reason — you should notify the court. Continuing to use a hardship license when you no longer meet the conditions can result in criminal charges.
How long a hardship license lasts
A hardship license is valid for the duration of your suspension or until the court order expires, whichever comes first. If your suspension was for two years, your hardship license will last up to two years, unless the court sets a shorter period.
When your suspension ends, your regular license is automatically restored (assuming you have paid all fines and met other conditions). You do not need to do anything else. If you want to continue driving after your suspension ends, you can straightforward use your regular license.
If your circumstances change before the hardship license expires — for example, you change jobs or no longer need to drive — you can ask the court to modify or terminate the order. You can also file a new petition if you need to add a new purpose (such as a medical appointment) to your approved list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the grocery store or run errands with a hardship license?
No. A hardship license restricts you to the specific purposes the court approved — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. Driving for personal errands, shopping, or social trips is a violation and can result in additional charges.
What happens if I get pulled over while driving on a hardship license?
You must show the officer your hardship license and your identification. If you are driving for an approved purpose and following traffic laws, there should be no problem. If you are driving for a purpose not listed on the license, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license.
Can I get a hardship license if my license was revoked instead of suspended?
No. Revocations are permanent until you meet specific conditions set by the court or the Revenue Division. You must complete those conditions before you can reapply for any license. Contact the Revenue Division to find out what you need to do to restore your license.
How much does a hardship license cost?
The fee varies by county but is typically between $20 and $50. You pay this fee when you go to the Revenue Division office with your court order. Some counties may also charge a filing fee for the court petition, which varies.
Can I appeal if the court denies my hardship license petition?
Yes. You can file an appeal with the Arkansas Court of Appeals if you believe the judge made an error. You may also file a new petition if your circumstances change significantly — for example, if you get a new job or your medical situation changes.